China lifts ban on Va. poultry imports

Chinese authorities have rescinded a 6.5-year import suspension of poultry from Virginia, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Gov. Terry McAuliffe's office. China imposed the ban because of what it said were concerns of low pathogenic avian flu following an isolated case reported at a single farm in Virginia. State officials said the ban was not justified by scientific data. Medical experts do not consider low-pathogenic bird flu strains a threat to human health because they cannot be transmitted to humans. China is the third-largest export market for U.S. poultry and poultry products. Exports to China totaled $504 million last year. Virginia state officials welcomed the news, say...